Air-conditioned upholstered element for the seat of a motor vehicle

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an upholstered element ( 1 ) for a lower seat part ( 2 ) and/or a backrest ( 4 ) of an air-conditioned motor-vehicle seat ( 6 ), comprising an elastic upholstered air-permeable base part ( 8 ) and an air-permeable air-conditioning layer ( 10 ) which is disposed on the surface of the base part ( 8 ). The air-conditioning layer ( 10 ) consists of at least two partial layers ( 14, 16 ), i.e. a lower layer ( 14 ) which is oriented towards the base part ( 8 ) and an upper layer ( 16 ) which is disposed on top of the lower layer ( 14 ). The upper layer ( 16 ) is made of a material which absorbs moisture. Preferably, an intermediate layer ( 22 ) made of an air-permeable material is disposed between the base part ( 8 ) and the lower layer ( 14 ). The lower layer ( 14 ) is relatively softer and the intermediate layer ( 22, 22   a ) is relatively harder, whereby the lower layer ( 14 ) and intermediate layer ( 22 ) are prevented from being pressed into holes ( 18 ) in the base part ( 8 ) when the seat is occupied.

[0001] The present invention relates to a cushion part for a lower seat part and/or a backrest of a vehicle seat which is air-conditioned, in particular passively, having an elastic, air-permeable cushion base part and an air- and water-vapor-permeable air-conditioning layer arranged flat on the base part.

[0002] WO99/50090 describes a seat cushion part of this type, the base part comprising a core part foamed as a single piece from plastic. For air-conditioning comfort, the core part has holes which extend completely through the core part and are therefore open at the edge on both sides. The continuous holes permit an effective exchange of air and moisture through the core part, specifically also without active means, such as ventilators or the like. This is therefore a purely passive air-conditioning system. An outer layer is arranged on the core part and is intended, firstly, to enable the seat pressure to be distributed and, secondly, to enable moisture to be transported through the holes of the core part. For this purpose, the outer layer is to consist of a material which can rapidly absorb moisture and can also release it again. Although this known seat cushion is already well-established, a further improvement in the air-conditioning and also mechanical properties is sought.

[0003] The present invention is therefore based on the object of providing a cushion part of the type mentioned, with which both the air-conditioning properties and the mechanical properties for supporting and distributing the seat pressure can be optimized at the same time with simple and cost-effective means.

[0004] According to the invention, this achieved by the air-conditioning layer comprising at least two sublayers, specifically a lower layer facing the base part and an upper layer lying on the lower layer. This enables optimum mechanical and also air-conditioning properties to be obtained by virtually any desired and suitable material combinations of the two sublayers.

[0005] For this purpose, advantageous refinement features and embodiments are contained in the subclaims and in the following description.

[0006] The invention will be explained in greater detail with reference to a number of preferred exemplary embodiments and certain design variants which are illustrated in the drawing, in which:

[0007]FIG. 1 shows a detail of a cushion part according to the invention in a first embodiment with the essential components,

[0008]FIG. 2 shows a schematic overall cross section of the design according to FIG. 1 to illustrate the air-conditioning function,

[0009]FIG. 3 shows a number of views of subsections of the (3 a-3 d) cushion part in the region of a hole in a base part, in various refinement variants of the hole,

[0010]FIG. 4 shows a view similar to FIG. 2 with an additional covering material,

[0011]FIG. 5 shows an illustration analogous to FIG. 1 in a second embodiment of the cushion part,

[0012]FIG. 6 shows a further illustration analogous to FIG. 1 in a design variant of FIG. 5,

[0013]FIG. 7 shows a cross section similar to FIGS. 2 and 4 in another embodiment,

[0014]FIG. 8 shows an alternative refinement to FIG. 7 in a corresponding illustration,

[0015]FIG. 9 shows an illustration as in FIG. 7 in one particular refinement,

[0016]FIG. 10 shows a partial cross section through a cushion part according to the invention in a further design variant, and

[0017]FIG. 11 shows a highly schematic side view, which is sectioned in the seat region, of the situation in which a vehicle seat is installed in a vehicle and has a person sitting on it.

[0018] A cushion part 1 according to the invention is conceived for the region of a lower seat part 2 and/or a backrest 4 of a vehicle seat 6 which is preferably air-conditioned purely passively (cf. in particular FIG. 11 in this respect). The cushion part 1 comprises an elastic, air- and moisture-permeable cushion base part 8 and an air-conditioning layer 10 arranged flat on the base part 8. The air-conditioning layer 10 is likewise readily air-permeable, but is advantageously also moisture-permeable (high air and water-vapor permeability) and/or absorbs moisture. This means that the air-conditioning layer 10 can readily absorb moisture (water vapor) and can also release it again rapidly. The air-conditioning layer 10 has a high fatigue strength with a loss in thickness <15%.

[0019] According to FIGS. 4 and 7 to 9, the base part 8 and the air-conditioning layer 10 are jointly covered by a covering material 12, said material preferably being an outer textile fabric. In this case, the covering material or the outer fabric 12 has high air and water-vapor permeability at least in the actual seat surface region, the “sitting area”. This expediently applies at least to the entire surface region of the covering material 12 that covers the air-conditioning layer 10. The material here is preferably unlaminated; outside this region, the material may be laminated on its side facing the cushion part. The lamination of the outer fabric results in a severe reduction in the permeability of the covering material 12. However, this can be prevented here by sewing it directly, in particular, to the air-conditioning layer 10. The outer textile fabric can be designed as a circular knit, flat woven fabric, raised warp knitted fabric or raised warp circular knit fabric or Jacquard and has an air permeability of more than 450 l/m²/s (according to ISO 9237). It may also be a hydrophilized, in particular moisture-absorbing textile material and/or may have a wool content of up to a maximum of 45%. In addition, the covering material 12 or the outer textile fabric having essentially the abovementioned features can be covered, at least in some regions, by a foam, in particular a PU foam, having a thickness in the range of 2 to 10 mm and a compression hardness of 4 to 6 kPa.

[0020] According to the invention, the air-conditioning layer 10 comprises at least two sublayers, specifically a lower layer 14 facing the base part 8 and an upper layer 16 lying on the lower layer 14. These sublayers 14, 16 can advantageously consist of any desired materials, in particular different materials.

[0021] The upper layer 16 preferably consists of a moisture-absorbing (water-vapor absorbent) material. For this purpose, the upper layer 16 can contain—at least proportionally—a nonwoven, a hydrophilized textile material, “rubberized hair” (known per se) and/or, in particular, activated carbon. For this purpose, the upper layer 16 can advantageously consist of a base material, in particular a foamed plastic, with activated carbon placed in it, in particular in particle form. The base material can additionally be needle-punched with a nonwoven, which reduces the hardness of this foam/activated carbon layer to an extent suitable for a seat cushion part. Furthermore, the hardness or “softness” may also be set via the volume (the thickness) of the nonwoven material, enabling a soft seating behavior to be achieved. The moisture absorption of this upper layer 16 should be approximately 100 g/m².

[0022] In addition, the upper layer 16 is advantageously a relatively soft material, i.e. a material having a compression hardness of, in particular, approximately 4 to 6 kPa and also a high air permeability, where the air permeability should be greater than 500 l/dm²/min (according to ISO 9237).

[0023] The lower layer 14 consists preferably of a soft, slightly compressed rubberized hair with a relative density in particular approximately in the range of 500 to 800 kg/m³. However, the lower layer 14 may also be a plastic knit with a high compression hardness of, in particular, approximately 10 to 20 kPa. In any case, the lower layer 14 should have a high elastic restoring force and a high air and water-vapor permeability.

[0024] The base part 8 preferably consists of a single-piece foamed-plastic body. In this case, the base part 8 has, for its high air permeability, holes 18 which are distributed over the seat surface and extend continuously through the base part 8 in a direction perpendicular with respect to a main seat plane 20 (cf. FIGS. 2, 4 and 7 to 9). The holes 18 have to fulfill certain geometrical conditions. The base part 8 has a height H in the surface region of the air-conditioning layer, so that the holes 18 have a length L corresponding to the height H and a hole cross section or diameter D (FIG. 1). In this case, the ratio of hole length L to cross section D should lie in the range of 2:1 to 3:1. At this ratio, the energy of the oscillation amplitude occurring in the vehicle during the journey (excitation via carriageway/moving occupant) is sufficient in order to ensure an exchange of heat and moisture passively i.e. without an additional fan, by a type of pumping action. At different ratios than the ratios mentioned as being preferred, “standing waves” could be formed in the holes 18, as a result of which the exchange of heat and moisture which is sought could be obstructed or even prevented.

[0025] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the holes 18 may differ from a continuously cylindrical shape. According to FIG. 3a, the hole 18 has a conical widening 18 a adjacent to the lower side of the base part 8 (upper side) would also be possible), so that the cross section d on the mouth side of the widening is larger than the cross section D of the cylindrical hole region. The ratio d:D should be approximately 1:1.5. The depth or length of the widening 18 a should be approximately {fraction (1/3)} of the height H of the base part 8. According to FIG. 3b to 3 d, other hole contours which have, in particular, a greater cross section on the lower side than in the upper region and the smallest diameter of which should preferably not fall below 20 mm are also possible. Thus, for example, the widening 18 b according to FIG. 3b is approximately bell-shaped with a wall which is curved concavely in longitudinal section while the widening 18 c according to FIG. 3c has a convexly curved wall. According to FIG. 3d, the hole 18 d is of continuously conical design. In all cases, the particular contour of the holes 18 assists the desired transportation of heat and substances (moisture), which results in an improvement in the air-conditioning comfort.

[0026] In the preferred embodiments according to FIGS. 5 to 10, an additional intermediate layer 22 of a likewise air-permeable material lies between the base part 8 and the lower layer 14 of the air-conditioning layer 10. Provision is advantageously made here for the lower layer 14 to be of relatively softer design (compression hardness approximately 5 to 15 kPa) and for the intermediate layer 22 to be of relatively harder design (compression hardness approximately 20 to 50 kPa) in such a manner that, when the seat is subjected to a load, a pressing of the lower layer 14 and also of the intermediate layer 22 into the holes 18 of the base part 8—and therefore also an unattractive formation of impressions on the upper seat surface—is avoided. The intermediate layer 22 can advantageously consist of highly compressed rubberized hair with a higher relative density in the range of 600 to 1000 kg/m³, in particular about approximately 1000 g/m². As an alternative, it may also be a highly compressed, in particular perforated, nonwoven material. In a further alternative according to FIG. 6, the intermediate layer 22 a consists of a plastic plate which is relatively thin, at preferably approximately 1.5 to 4 mm, and is perforated at least in the regions covering the holes 18. The plastic which is used has to satisfy the requirements of the motor vehicle industry, in particular with regard to combustibility (should be hardly inflammable)., recycling etc. The intermediate layer 22 or 22 a therefore generally has the task of producing sufficient flexural rigidity, which should be at least five times greater than that of the base part 8, so that the other layers of the air-conditioning layer 10 cannot press into the holes 18 of the base part 8. This advantageously avoids the risk of impressions forming on the seat surface. In all of the designs, the air permeability of the intermediate layer 22, 22 a should not fall below a value of approximately 400 l/m²/s.

[0027] In the variant illustrated in FIG. 9, both the upper layer 16 and the intermediate layer 22 are formed from a nonwoven material 31. The lower layer 14 lying in between may be—as illustrated—rubberized hair in a single layer, or else, for example, in a number of layers, the rubberized hair having the properties already mentioned and advantageously containing (being impregnated with) activated carbon. The absorption of moisture should be 80 to 150 g/m². The nonwoven material 31, for example in the form of a needle-punched nonwoven or spun-bonded nonwoven, may have an air permeability of 1000 to 2000 l/m²/s and a relative density between 20 and 60 g/m².

[0028] In a further advantageous refinement the base part 8 has lateral edge regions 24 which are raised at least approximately to the level of the upper side of the air-conditioning layer 10 and are therefore provided for side support of a person 26 sitting on the seat (cf. FIGS. 4 and 7 to 9). In the designs according to FIGS. 1, 2 and 8, channel-like clearances 28, “tacking channels”, are formed between the air-conditioning layer 10 and the edge regions 24 of the base part 8. According to FIG. 1, these clearances 28 have a depth T, which is measured perpendicular with respect to the main seat plane 20, and a width B, where the width B should be at least 3 mm and up to approximately 15 mm in order to ensure that heat and substances (moisture) are conducted away readily. According to FIG. 8, the covering material 12 is pulled downward in the region of the channel-like clearances 28 as far as the bottom of said channels, and is backstitched there, so that the cushion part 11 also has the lateral, channel-like clearances 28 when it is covered. Said clearances are advantageously used at the same time for conducting air while the person 26 is simultaneously optimally supported at the side by the lateral edge regions 24 of the cushion part 1. According to FIG. 8, the air flowing through the holes 18 and the air-conditioning layer 10 can still flow laterally through the channel-like clearances 28 despite the seated person 26.

[0029] The alteratives illustrated in FIGS. 4, 7 and 9 are designed with less side support, in which case the clearances 28 which are recessed in a channel-like manner are dispensed with flow. Instead., passages are formed between the person 26 and the lateral edge regions 24. In this case, the air-conditioning layer 10 lies essentially flush in a corresponding receiving depression of the base part 8.

[0030] As is also revealed in FIGS. 2, 4, and 7 to 9, the cushion base part 8; preferably lies flat on a supporting seat structure 30 which is formed, for example, from a seat trough of sheet metal or plastic. For the air-conditioning which is sought, the seat structure is likewise of air-permeable, in particular perforated, design. This air-permeable seat structure 30 may also be formed by metal springs (sinusoidal springs or Pulmaflex underspringing arrangements) which are customary in motor vehicle seats.

[0031] In the design which is illustrated in FIG. 10, the lower layer 14 lying on the intermediate layer 22 or 22 a is a knit made from plastic. This knit is distinguished by a very good restoring force and very good air and water-vapor permeability. Since this knit has a high compression hardness in particular in the range of 10 to 20 kPa, the upper layer 16 lying on it can be of softer design with a compression hardness of, in particular, 4 to 6 kPa.

[0032] It should also be mentioned that, in all of the cases in which “rubberized hair” is used, bonded natural fibers (for example animal hairs) but also synthetically produced spacer knits with a corresponding compression hardness and air throughput can be used.

[0033] With reference to FIG. 11, the invention is explained in conjunction with the climatic conditions in a vehicle interior.

[0034] 1. Load Situation in Summer (Vehicle Heated Up):

[0035] The ambient temperature T_(U) in the vehicle interior is lowered very rapidly, in particular by using an air-conditioning system, or is lowered somewhat more slowly by opening the windows. Therefore, T_(U) is then lower than the temperature T_(M) of the human body and the temperature T_(S) in the seat surface region. The heat capacity of the seat means that the temperature of the seat T_(S) is greater than the body temperature T_(M) (absorption of radiant energy on the seat). If T_(s) is greater than T_(M), a build-up of heat occurs. According to the invention, the cooler temperature T_(U) can now reach the person more rapidly owing to the holes 18. In this connection, the distance A between the vehicle floor and the seat is also important. When an air-conditioning system is used, the air is additionally dehumidified and the difference in vapor pressure between the seat surface and lower side of the seat becomes greater. Moisture can be transported away from the person.

[0036] 2. Load Situation in Winter (Vehicle Cooled Down)

[0037] The ambient temperature T_(U) in the vehicle interior is heated by the use of an air-conditioning or heating system. This warm air can then reach the person through the cushion part according to the invention. The power of a seat heating system which is possibly present can therefore advantageously be reduced, or a seat heating system can even be entirely omitted.

[0038] The invention is not confined to the exemplary embodiments illustrated and described, but also comprises all designs of equivalent effect within the meaning of the invention. Furthermore, the invention is also not yet confined to the combination of features defined in claim 1 but can also be defined by any other desired combination of particular features of all disclosed individual features. This means that, in principle, virtually any individual feature of claim 1 can be omitted or replaced by at least one individual feature disclosed elsewhere in the application. To this extent, claim 1 is to be understood merely as a first attempt at formulating an invention. 

1. A cushion part (1) for a lower seat part (2) and/or a backrest (4) of an air-conditioned vehicle seat (6), having an elastic, air-permeable cushion base part (8) and an air-permeable air-conditioning layer (10) arranged flat on the base part (8), characterized in that the air-conditioning layer (10) comprises at least two sublayers (14, 16), specifically a lower layer (14) facing the base part (8) and an upper layer (16) lying on the lower layer (14).
 2. The cushion part as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the upper layer (16) consists of a moisture-absorbing material.
 3. The cushion part as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the upper layer (16) contains—at least proportionally—a nonwoven, a hydrophilized textile material, rubberized hair and/or activated carbon.
 4. The cushion part as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the upper layer (16) consists of a base material, in particular foam, with activated carbon placed in it, the base material preferably being needle-punched with a nonwoven.
 5. The cushion part as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the upper layer (16) consists of a relatively soft material having a compression hardness of, in particular, approximately 4 to 6 kPa and a high air permeability preferably of at least 500 l/dm²/min.
 6. The cushion part as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the lower layer (14) consists of soft, slightly compressed rubberized hair with a relative density in particular approximately in the range of 500 to 800 kg/m³.
 7. The cushion part as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the lower layer (14) consists of a plastic knit with a high compression hardness of, in particular, approximately 5 to 20 kPa.
 8. The cushion part as claimed in one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the lower layer (14) has a high elastic restoring force and a high air and water-vapor permeability.
 9. The cushion part as claimed in one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the base part (8) consists of a single-piece foamed-plastic body and, for its air permeability, has holes (18) which are distributed over the seat surface and extend continuously through the base part (8) in a direction perpendicular with respect to the main seat plane (20).
 10. The cushion part as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the holes (18) each have a length (L) which is determined by the height (H) of the base part (8) and a cross section (D), the ratio of length (L) to cross section (D) lying in the range of 2:1 to 3:1.
 11. The cushion part as claimed in claim 9 or 10, characterized in that an intermediate layer (22) of an air-permeable material lies between the base part (8) and the lower layer (14), the lower layer (14) being of relatively softer design and the intermediate layer (22, 22 a) of relatively harder design in such a manner that, when the seat is subjected to a load, a pressing of the lower layer (14) and of the intermediate layer (22) into the holes (18) of the base part (8) is avoided.
 12. The cushion part as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the intermediate layer (22) consists of highly compressed rubberized hair with a relative density of, in particular, approximately 600 to 1000 kg/m³.
 13. The cushion part as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the intermediate layer (22) consists of a highly compressed, in particular perforated, nonwoven material.
 14. The cushion part as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the intermediate layer (22 a) consists of a relatively thin, perforated plastic plate.
 15. The cushion part as claimed in one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the base part (8) has edge regions (24) which are raised at least approximately to the level of the upper side of the air-conditioning layer (10).
 16. The cushion part as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that channel-like clearances (28) are formed between the air-conditioning layer (10) and the edge regions (24) of the base part (8).
 17. The cushion part as claimed in one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the cushion base part (8) lies flat on an air-permeable, in particular perforated, supporting seat structure (30).
 18. The cushion part as claimed in one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the base part (8) and the air-conditioning layer (10) are jointly covered by a covering material (12), the covering material (12) having high air and water-vapor permeability at least in the actual seat surface region. 